Hudson Valley Overnighter

I took Friday off so we could skip the traffic and start our anniversary early (2 years!). We drove straight to our hotel, Buttermilk Falls Inn, about 2 hours north of the City in Milton, NY.


We started with free afternoon tea (cookies, cheese, fruit) and then went straight to the "spa" for mineral pool, sauna, steam room, and amazing massages. Relaxing by the pool looking out at the Hudson was a highlight.


Then off to the Culinary Institute for a fun but not that amazing Italian dinner. Saturday was sunny and beautiful. We started off with homemade french toast and scrambled eggs and NY Times on the patio. Then we took a tour around the property including a walk down to the Hudson and a visit with the llamas and peacocks.




Then we drove to the new walking bridge over the Hudson with lovely views in both directions.


Next stop...Storm King! But wait...batting cages!?! We had to stop. :)


Storm King was spectacular. We highly recommend. Miles of rolling green hills specked with huge sculptures by some of the most well known artists of the 60s-90s.






Maya Lin!


Then back to the City for dinner and a good night sleep. How can I end without a photo of Oscar? This one isn't from this weekend, but I had to put it in. Where's Waldo?

Biking the Texas Hill Country

I had never traveled in Texas but I have traveled with Timberline Bicycling Co. and enjoyed their relaxed style. This was 6 days and 280- miles through challenging rolling hill and viewing the well know "bluebonnet" wildflowers found only in this area just northwest of San Antonio. A wonderful week with new acquaitences, new vistas, good food, good accommodations, sore quads and joyous accomplishment.

Adventure to New Paltz!

Looking for a little R&R and nature, Amy, Deb and I headed to New Paltz for an overnighter. We originally planned on Saratoga, but I was afraid of too much traffic on the way home. We wanted something closer to home, preferably a pool or hot tub, close to state parks/hiking, and some nice scenery. We hit the jackpot with New Paltz!

We drove straight there in under two hours, barely any traffic, sun roof open!

After a not so memorable lunch in New Paltz (quite the college town-- pizza pizza pizza!) we headed to our hotel.

Mountain Meadows B&B (thank you trip advisor!) was down a quiet country road just on the other side of New Paltz main street. It was a cute house with a huge backyard facing the "gunks" complete with pool, hot tub, hammocks, and adirondack chairs.






Fresh chocolate chip cookies greeted us and we got some helpful travel advice from the owner to head straight to Minnewaska State park for a hike before it got dark. We drove about 15 minutes to the park entrance and did the three mile loop around the lake. Beautiful! (and 90 degrees!)






We ended at the waterfalls and cooled off with our toes in the water.



Back to the hotel to change and read a bit and then off to dinner in town. Another un-memorable meal (but ice cream after of course!) and back to the hotel for the HOT TUB! Best part!

The next day we had a delicious homemade breakfast, lounged around in the hammocks, and then set off to visit a nearby vineyard. We liked the award winning white so much we each got a bottle, then back to the car for a visit to the farm store for plants and produce. It was so hot the cows were all huddled under the one tree...!



Then our first bad decision. Outlet shopping. We couldn't resist hitting up Woodbridge commons and boy did we regret it. Hot, humid, packed with people... Threatened to destroy our vacation calm. So we left quickly and headed home!

Back home 2 hrs later with just a little traffic on the bridge and FDR. And Oscar was watching for me in the kitchen (the whole time? :))